The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-20
SAVED HER FROM NIAGARA.
Sig. TaGiispietra's Brave Rescue of Miss
Marie Greenwood.

Sig. TaEhapiefra's Brave Rescue OF blfss
Marie Greenwood.
Niagara Falls Special.
A merry party of ladies and gentlemen. en-
joying their last view of the cataract. were
thrown into CONSERVATION this morning bv 8
horrifying cry from one of their number, God
help me. I'm lost"
Miss Marie Greenwood. of Memphis Tenn,
struggling in the water. a broad
shouldered man had caught her arms and was
exerting his utmost strength to combat the
rushing tide which swept against the womap's
dress and threatened every instant to tear her
from his grasp. Miss Greenwoods face was
white md her lips moved silently while her res
cuef slowly, but surely. pulled her from the
water. Once safe upon the bank the woman
tainted and only recovered Consciousness
hour later at the Spencer House. whittier shs
was hurried in a carriage
Miss Greenwood's rescuer was Sig. Taglis-
pi etra the wellknown opera bouffe artist. and
both are mem beers of the Greenwood Opers
Company. which has spent two weeks in re-
hearsal here. Miss Greenwood, who Is yound
and pretty and has q rich father, is as irnpulsiv9
in her actions in her likes and dislikes- Her
wtim to go upon the operate stage was humored
by her father. who organized a company es~
pecially to support her
Her fancy for visiting Luna. island has been
grarified during nearly every day of the COM
pany's stay here. The spot where the party
were gathered this morning is the most danger
GUS point in this vicinity. The island is almost
level with the water, which rushes past at terri'
bile speed. A few feer away the Americas
Falls. Many a tragedy has been enacted here,
and one of the gentlemen reeited the story ct
girl who is thought TO have thrown herself iEtd
the river from this point last winter Miss
Miss Greenwood said. laughinHly. that she could
not understand how anyone COLD jump
into such cold water.
"it's cold as ice-water, now, I'm sure she
repeated. wait a minute and I'll tell you"
She stepped to the edge and. placing her foot
q stone, stopped to put her hand in the
water Her foot slipped and she threw her
self back involuntarily, both her feet went into
the water The swift current caught her dress
and whired her down stream, but TaGliapletra,
who had stood very near. fearing an accident.
caught both arms and held the terrified
woman. Only the cry escaped her. After
recovering from her swoon she was very weak
and nervous To the World correspondent who
admitted to her room this afternoon, Miss
Green wood said:
81 never was so thoroughly frightened in all
my life. 1 thought of all the terrible things L
had read about the Falls, and was sure l was
lost The S ignor saved my life at a fearful
risk. know. lie says he was in no danger. but
If his foot had slipped, as mine did, we would
both have been swept over
The thought OF such a possibility was too much
for the singer. and she closed her ewes and shud-
dered. TagliaDietra was disposed TO make light
OF the affair. and though showered with compli-
ments for his bravery he only shrugged his
shoulders and said, 1T nothing. A pair oj
wet feet that is ellr To the World correspond
9 Mt, who obtained a detailed description of the
affair from him. the Signor ACKNOWLEDGED that
he thought he was taking great chances for his
life. Il thought of Deforest and hung on till I
thought my arms would be pulled out" he said.
Miss Greenwood is very impnsive. and have
always kept close at her side since we have beeD
at the Falls"
Luna island is regarded with particular horror
bv residents here because il the scene of o
terrible tragedy four years ago, the participants
in which were two prominent gentlemen of Sus-
pension Bridge. Van r Pierson was cashier az
the New York Central freight house. and James
and Thomas Vedder, who kept the leading gro
Gerry store inethe section, were brothers of Mira
Piersou. An were well-known and respected
middle-aged people Pierson drank good
deal. but the Vedders not at all Persons
actions were sometimes very erratc. One VIM
TO take a drive and the buggy GONG
across the Goat island bridge. The next day
search made for the men. and the horse
aud vehicle found on Goat island Or.
Luna island. near the brink, lay the dead body
of Pierson with bullet through his heart An
empty revolver the ground. All around
the snow were drops of blood aud evidences
of severe struggle. Footprints led towards the
water. but were lost near the edge. 1t was
never known whether there was one suicide or
two. and the case has remained mystery.
The tragedy that is perhaps best known X
connection with this fatal spot dates back to-
June 81. 1S49 Charles AddiDgton accompanied
the Deforest family, of Buffalo. TO the Falls, and
they visited Luna island. While they were
standing close to the waters edge. and within
few feet of the American Fall, Addington adj
vanced playfully to Miss Annetts. the little
daughter of Mr.. Deforest. saying: Il am gonna
to throw you ill.," He lifted her up and over thu
water in his arms, and the little one, in i'm
pulse of fear, sprang into me river. Arlington
jumped after her instantly, and both bodies
were swept over the cataract together.